The Eastern Conference was shaken up between powers on Tuesday night.
The end result: the Cavaliers and Celtics are still pretty darn good at the top.
Kyrie Irving got his wish as Cleveland traded the star guard to Boston for fellow star Isaiah Thomas, forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic and a 2018 first-round draft pick (see story).
The Sixers play both squads four times during the 2017-18 regular season, so Brett Brown's young and up-and-coming team will be tested in seeing how it stacks up against the East's favorites (see story).
The blockbuster trade sure had Twitter abuzz. Here is some reaction from current and former Sixers, NBA players and media outlets.
That's the only way to be to the kid! Special talent/guy! Nothing but respect and what a ride it was our 3 years together Young Gode #Filayy https://t.co/wKYmYsmdgG— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 23, 2017
Philadelphia 76ers
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😴😴😴😴— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) August 23, 2017
This season is about to be so fun!— Justin Anderson (@JusAnderson1) August 22, 2017
😳— Justin Anderson (@JusAnderson1) August 22, 2017
Damn dog, my guy I.T. Deserve better. I understand it's a business but that dude did a lot of the organization. Only going to get better!— Evan Turner (@thekidet) August 22, 2017
My man also is going to play with LBJ too so it ain't that bad lol— Evan Turner (@thekidet) August 22, 2017
Great deal by Cleveland...they get Jae crowder too?? That's an underrated move!— Evan Turner (@thekidet) August 23, 2017
Yikes. Even swap you ask me— Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) August 23, 2017
pic.twitter.com/3qe7y2JJ8A— Alex Poythress (@AlexTheGreat22) August 22, 2017
iT welcome to Ohio bro!— Jared M.X. Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) August 22, 2017
🤔— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) August 22, 2017
Wow— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) August 22, 2017
NBA is the most entertaining, dope, lit league in the world— Jordan Clarkson (@JordanClarksons) August 23, 2017
Irving thrilled w/ joining Celtics and they'll have great chance to eventually re-sign him. Boston made deal with strong belief he'll stay.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 23, 2017
Danny Ainge on the #Celtics trade for Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/1M8K5dCggB— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) August 23, 2017
Now that they're teammates, this picture of Kevin Love & Isaiah Thomas from the 2005 ABCD camp will get plenty of run this upcoming season pic.twitter.com/f4M0OuohWY— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) August 23, 2017
Sixer fans---get off Twitter. Call it a night. You're not even a F'ing playoff team in the EAST yet and u think you're in Celts class now?— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) August 23, 2017
Early congrats to the Celtics for winning the 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022,2023 Eastern Conference Championship.— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) August 23, 2017